Long Weekend at Hartford House in Mooi River

By Rebecca Bourhill

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to one of South Africa's top 10 restaurants in Mooi River to help out in the kitchen with the chef Jackie Cameron. The opportunity came by surprise when my aunt was going to Underberg and passing right through Mooi River. A few months before, Jackie said that I must let her know when I will be going in that direction and I can come and work with her in the kitchen. So this was the time!

I was spoilt absolutely rotten and did not let a minute pass without being busy or having fun!

Jackie is very passionate about what she does and you can see that passion and enthusiasm as soon as you walk into the kitchen! If there is a problem she fixes it right away and everything carries on as if nothing happened! Smooth running and faultless! As soon as I got there, I was put straight to work! And 30 minutes after I met Jackie she said 'ok girls we going out to supper'! That took me by surprise after thinking we should be doing dinner service or something! Comm'on it was a Friday night for goodness sake... is the restaurant not going to be busy? Like one would expect! The next day was just as fun! Busy the whole day and once again no time to think twice about doing something! You just get on and do it like Jackie would expect! In the evening I was asked to peel and cut 53 potatoes into chips! A grueling job that was!

Sunday was a sad day it was time to say good bye to the lovely place and the staff, they were surprised at my age and I would be able to do something like that! Saying goodbye to Jackie Cameron was the hardest thing for me as she became like my second mother while I was there and she looked after me so well! I really have no words to explain this once in a lifetime experience! I am looking forward to going back and learning a great deal more!